It seems this thread has become problematic for a few of us! ;-) Seems to be common on this forum. One does wonder why. Nandina, since your first post seems to be the most practically knowledgeable as well as offered in a friendly manner, I certainly hope you won't quit posting. While I appreciate all the help I've been given it seems there are some who don't seem to want to provide explanations of their suggestions or cannot see that I wrote a book initially which has a lot of info. A sense of humor is always refreshing and I doubt I even liked pablum when I was of an age to eat it!. Thank you. Some comments on your suggestions - since DH is just finishing building my 12'x16' garden house I doubt I could convince him to build a potting shed as well! LOL Also the garden house will have a porch added next year which is where I will have a potting bench. My idea is to hide the bins with plantings. I think it can work. This is a country garden and we have no near neighbors so compost bins are not a major problem. Your idea of a labyrinth/patio is an interesting one which I might have considered a few years ago before we built our large patio right near the house. I think the labyrinth will be fine once established with a circular planting bed surrounding it, paths to and from, and plantings to blend. Frankie, I appreciate you hanging in on this thread and your attempt to define this elusive basic mission statement. I really don't see why this should be a problem for anyone who wishes to help as so far no one has been able to define clearly what it means in landscaping. The parameters I set out for this project IMO are more than enough info for anyone to understand what my basic mission is. BTW for anyone who thinks I'm copping out on stating this basic mission, I can tell you that I have helped several organizations create such a statement so it's not a foreign concept to me. The low maintenance requirement, I agree, has not been well enough defined by me altho I think to say that no "high" maintenance landscaping ideas will be implemented is appropriate. So only hardy plants, a minimum of plants aggressive in this zone, shrubs that require little trimming, plants that do not shed noxious seed pods, and little or no groomed lawns. Most gardeners will understand the concept of well behaved, low maintenance plants. As far as low maintenance hardscaping ideas (such as for paths) I'm definitely looking for suggestions. I love gardening and my DH is always helpful so we expect to continue to spend many hours a week and more at certain times of the year in our garden. I have thot of planting several areas in wildflowers or grasses altho will have to speak with someone at the local Ag office regarding non-invasive plants so I don't use those that could become a problem. I wonder how many here have actually ever planned a garden larger than a city lot. I'd be interested to hear their experiences.

The flat and matte will appear the same. Thank you Michael. That's exactly what I needed to know. DH and I had a long discussion about this last night. We did some sample areas throughout the house and have lived with them for a few weeks. He surprised me - he definitely wants to go with white ceilings now. I'm so looking forward to painting with the Matte after what I've read here. I figure that will be my reward after all the prep and priming fun. :-) Unless you can get Muralo Satin Flow. It's nicer. I'll ask my dealer if he has it. I have no issue with upgrading here if it gives better wear and is nicer to apply. Fresh Start acrylic primer is one of the best base coatings on the market. Excellent. I know my dealer stocks it in 5 gallon buckets. Thanks again for all your help!

Thanks, everyone for your encouragement! I've posted more WIP photos to the link below. Slow - in answer to your question about the base, I'm drawing the design onto the concrete and attaching tile directly to it - no mesh beneath. I prep the surface with a slurry of that bonding treatment first. We get almost no precipitation here, so I haven't been too worried about ice heaves and such. (Earthquakes on the other hand...) Bamasusana - I love the idea of the stepping stones in pea gravel. Please don't be surprised if I steal it. Dena - I completely agree with you that the circles would "pop" a lot more if I'd gone with just one color. However, I went with the (more fraidy-cat) approach of random colored tiles because I guess I'm pretty critical of what I've done so far and didn't necessarily want the circles to pop. Instead I was hoping for an effect more like one of those 3D paintings, where you have to let your eyes relax first before you can actually see the design. I also felt the various circles were too non-sequitur amongst themselves, so I hoped the random colors in between would emphasize the 'mis-matchedness' of the circles. (Ha - I'm pretty sure I'm overthinking this; that's the danger of having a software nerd do crafts around her house. :) ) Anyway, you have all made me feel good about my project. I do learn so much from the many talented contributors to this forum. Thanks so much again. I'll keep you all posted. Best, Myles Here is a link that might be useful: Project as of June 07

Hi chicoryflower: I agree that would be nice. I have actually tried to think of a way of doing that--if the room were just a bit larger, and the door on the back fireplace wall were placed a bit differently, the addition of free standing columns along the division between the areas might work. I have tried to make free standing columns work with the current layout--there is just no way. However, when I repaint I will add columns around that door on the fireplace wall--that will give a sense of height from at least some vantage points. Also I have spotted a beautiful red vase (can't afford it right now), but when I can I think it would work on the cabinet that you see in the above picture to the left of the fireplace--a red vessel stands on the bookcase to the right, and I think this one will be about the same size. The red vessel on the bookcase helps the proportion there so I am hoping that a similar treatment on the left plus the columns, while not the perfect solution, could help. Love to see the pics of your aunts--I can always use a smile during winter--I do not like winter!